Elon Musk and Trump's fallout at explosive meeting paved way for Tesla CEO's imminent DOGE ouster: Report
WASHINGTON, DC: Tensions between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump reportedly reached a breaking point after a dramatic meeting.
Allegations of discord surfaced following the tech mogul's handling of the federal government and his involvement in a key discussion about US-China relations.
RadarOnline reported that Musk’s departure from his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is imminent, following weeks of mounting friction with Trump’s White House team.
Elon Musk's drastic DOGE moves sparked pushback from several members of Donald Trump's Cabinet
In a recent Cabinet meeting, Elon Musk reportedly unveiled a bold plan to slash hundreds of thousands of government jobs and reduce federal spending by an eye-popping $2 trillion.
However, his aggressive stance on overhauling the federal workforce and his frequent outbursts on his platform X (formerly Twitter) sparked serious pushback from several members of Trump’s Cabinet, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Tensions escalated further when the president allegedly expressed anger over Musk’s clearance to attend a Pentagon briefing on China, citing concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to Musk's business dealings with the nation.
Insiders suggest that the Tesla CEO's unpredictable behavior and lack of coordination within the White House have strained his relationship with Trump, leading to the billionaire’s impending departure from his government role.
In February, Musk made a spectacle at a major conservative event, wearing a dark MAGA hat and holding a chainsaw as a metaphor for cutting government waste.
Though Musk felt emboldened by the stunt, many of Trump’s allies saw it as "too extreme." GOP Senator Lindsey Graham warned that Musk’s actions could be used against Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.
Additionally, Musk’s $20 million investment in a failed Wisconsin Supreme Court bid, along with Tesla’s plunging stock value and declining sales, have intensified scrutiny around his political involvement. According to sources, Musk is increasingly being viewed as a "political liability."
Trump is reportedly preparing for Musk’s departure from his role in the administration, although insiders suggest the billionaire may continue in an informal advisory capacity.
Donald Trump said he would like Elon Musk to stay with his administration 'as long as possible'
Elon Musk has been leading government cost-cutting initiatives as the head of DOGE. But he is limited by federal regulations to serving only 130 consecutive days in the role.
However, Trump recently expressed that he’s not ready to let Musk go just yet.
While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump praised Musk’s work, stating, "[DOGE] found something today that’s horrible. It’s horrible — you’ll find out very soon. What they found is incredible, and we give [Musk] a lot of credit. He’s got some very smart people."
The 78-year-old continued, "I want Elon to stay as long as possible. Number one: I like him. Number two: He’s doing a great job. Number three: He is a patriot."
He reiterated his admiration, adding, "I'd keep him as long as I can keep him. He's a very talented guy. You know, I love very smart people. He's very smart. And he's done a good job."
With Musk’s time at DOGE winding down, one reporter asked if Trump would appoint him to another government role to keep him involved. He responded, "I would. I think Elon’s great."
However, Trump also acknowledged that Musk has several companies to manage—Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink. "We’re in no rush, but there will be a point in time in which Elon’s going to have to leave," the president said.
Despite the impending end of Musk's DOGE tenure, Trump suggested he would gladly welcome Musk’s continued involvement, stating, "He can stay as long as he likes."
